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**droc420187** · 10-01-2009, 12:08 AM

You won't get much in the way of solar for only $300 bucks. Maybe a panel but then you would still need wire, an inverter(runs a thousand and up), batteries, and a charge controller. This is because solar panels output DC and most houses are wired to AC. A setup your size would be relatively inexpensive to go off grid since you do not have much in the way of loads as it is, but would still run you a few thousand dollars. The most economical way of heating is by far wood, and I would go with that wood stove idea, and maybe look into some sort of DIY sterling engine system where you could take excess heat off the exhaust and use it to power a turbine to produce energy. Also one last thing, if you were to go solar loose the space heater since resistive heating with eletricity draws a ton of power, it is very inefficient, and your solar system would have to be designed much larger than necessary if you heat with something like wood. just my 2 cents

**avking** · 10-01-2009, 01:56 AM

We converted to solar a few years back. While we are running a lot more than you are talking about, the cost of the coversion was over $55k. The very first item we converted to solar was one of our gates. That alone was over $800. The only solar you are going to get for $300 will a portable style panel that can run small consumer electronics. No way are you going to run even a space heater and you can forget about a pump. The good quality wire you will need will cost a lot more than your whole budget.

It is a great idea, but your budget is just not in range of your goal.

**hubste5** · 10-01-2009, 08:23 AM

Is there any type of electric heat that is "more" efficient? (saw a "dish" thingy online...)
I may go with plan "A" and heat with wood...
I may still explore the "Solar-for-my-office" I need to dip my toes in the water.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...2703_200352703 look at this kit... the reviews are good. I have a 1500 watt inverter I picked up for nothing a few months back, and I think I have a line on a couple of deep cycle batteries.
would this be sufficient to run a PC, a couple of flourescent lights, we'll forget the heater for now...

**droc420187** · 10-01-2009, 11:42 AM

you want to be careful with an inverter you picked up for "nothing" as it might not produce the type of AC current required for sensitive electronics such as computers. you would need a pure sine wave inverter if you are considering running a computer etc. those 60 watt panels may power a couple lights, but will not run a computer as it definaty draws more than 60 watts. also panel type is amorphous, new technology used in flexible panels etc, great stuff if your trying to put solar in an awkward place but only about 40% efficient. forget northerntool, and check out a site dedicated to renewable energy such as backwoodssolar.com/ for example. lots of good stuff on there. to seriously size a system to run your computer and lights you must know exactly how much current they draw voltsxwatts for how many hours. then once you average your daily usage you could size a system, also check that inverter to make sure its pure sine wave, modified sine wave may fry your computers sensitive electronics but may be ok for simple stuff such as a heater or running a motor.

**hubste5** · 10-01-2009, 12:21 PM

Originally posted by droc420187 View Post

you want to be careful with an inverter you picked up for "nothing" as it might not produce the type of AC current required for sensitive electronics such as computers. you would need a pure sine wave inverter if you are considering running a computer etc. those 60 watt panels may power a couple lights, but will not run a computer as it definaty draws more than 60 watts. also panel type is amorphous, new technology used in flexible panels etc, great stuff if your trying to put solar in an awkward place but only about 40% efficient. forget northerntool, and check out a site dedicated to renewable energy such as backwoodssolar.com/ for example. lots of good stuff on there. to seriously size a system to run your computer and lights you must know exactly how much current they draw voltsxwatts for how many hours. then once you average your daily usage you could size a system, also check that inverter to make sure its pure sine wave, modified sine wave may fry your computers sensitive electronics but may be ok for simple stuff such as a heater or running a motor.

it is definitely modified sine... read it in the manual... so I'll do some more studying on that. Would that go for laptops that charge their own batteries?

**kenno** · 10-01-2009, 01:08 PM

Solar? Phewy!

The big problem with solar panels/inverters/batteries is that they all age and break down over a period of years and then you have to replace them.
I see good quality used wood stoves for sale for under 200 bucks nearly every week and I can buy a cord of split wood for about $150.
I bought my used stove for $125, it was made in the 1970's and still in great shape. Some day I might have to replace the fire bricks but I know it will outlast me. Invest in double wall stainless stove pipe and that will last 30 years.
Once Cold Fusion hits the powergrid solar will be a thing of the past.

**droc420187** · 10-01-2009, 02:39 PM

not sure about the laptop/battery charging i think that would be more dangerous. i have read and been told that some inverters do not charge batteries well and could cause them to over heat/explode. i am under the impression that this is due to the way a charger functions along with the way a modified sine wave acts. chargers stop charging when the battery reaches a certain voltage, the modified sine wave does not smoothly transition between cycles at 60hz like a true AC power from the grid, or a true/pure sine wave inverter does. modified sine waves are more "stepped" and therefor the charger may have trouble with this and not stop charging the battery once it has reached full charge. i have heard of people ruining cordless drill batteries along with different kinds of printers because of this, def something you want to research before hand.

**hubste5** · 10-01-2009, 03:09 PM

Originally posted by droc420187 View Post

not sure about the laptop/battery charging i think that would be more dangerous. i have read and been told that some inverters do not charge batteries well and could cause them to over heat/explode. i am under the impression that this is due to the way a charger functions along with the way a modified sine wave acts. chargers stop charging when the battery reaches a certain voltage, the modified sine wave does not smoothly transition between cycles at 60hz like a true AC power from the grid, or a true/pure sine wave inverter does. modified sine waves are more "stepped" and therefor the charger may have trouble with this and not stop charging the battery once it has reached full charge. i have heard of people ruining cordless drill batteries along with different kinds of printers because of this, def something you want to research before hand.

Thanks for the info, you likely saved me a lot of headache! I think I will pursue the wood stove for now...

**prkchp76** · 10-01-2009, 08:04 PM

if you buy a wood stove your grand kid's grandkid's could very well use it

**buzzard** · 03-10-2010, 06:06 AM

proper shoping online can yield true sinewave inverters and power panels at a reasonable cost. however active solar, ie photovoltaic, use as a heat source may remain cost porhibitive well beyond our lifetimes. pasive solar is very effective heat - during the day, storeing heat over night can be a real challange.
i have a small ,10 cf, deepfreeze running on solar panels,deepcycle batteries,slavaged 1500 watt true sine wave inverter. entire power package is under 2k, just barely, and only because i am a scrounger. food storage anywhere off grid.
i currently have 10k invested in solar equipment and need only battries to run everything other than hvac, cooking, and hot water in my home. i can even cook with a microwave.
for heat - keep the wood stove. i'm keeping mine.
all this started due to an arguement with local power service over trees. lol.

**hubste5** · 03-10-2010, 09:29 AM

Update -- Got an old wood stove, had it up and running for a couple months now... have enough seasoned wood to get me into next season, and enough green curing to get me through next year. When I was a child, I was responsible for cutting wood, as I was a very young "man of the house". It has been a blast cutting, hauling, splitting -- burning. Plus I have taught my son how to run chainsaw/split, etc. Glad I went that route. Plus I have a serviceable fireplace in the house, and the wood I bank could be used as backup in the dwelling.
Thanks for the comments/guidance... I know that whichever direction I go from here, putting in a wood stove was the right choice.

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